On Sunday, March 14, shortly after the protest for Women’s International Day were citizens marched against the patriarchy that is killing women, a man again killed a woman.

According to police reports to date, woman S.M. was killed yesterday in Pristina by her ex-husband L.S., who later committed suicide.

Who bears the responsibility for this killing? What justice will the killed woman and her family receive? How many times do we have to read such recurring news?

It has already been established that PATRIARCHY KILLS, men kill women, wives, ex-wives, and partners. The patriarchal mindset is so deeply entrenched that men see women as their property and can decide when to take their lives.

Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) expresses deep indignation toward this case, pledging that it will continue to raise its voice to seek justice for this woman, as well as for any other women violated, injured and killed.

Many men who killed women are hardly punished, and served reduced sentences. In this case, no one will be punished.

Kosovo must establish policies to prevent violence toward women.. By strengthening women’s education and their access to jobs they can contribute to the independence of girls, women, boys and men. Judicial institutions need to be more vocal about the killings of women and should take cases of gender-based violence seriously and impose higher sentences for murderers.

KWN will not stop until the violence against women is no longer treated as daily news or private matter. 

A life free of gender-based violence remains one of KWN Strategy 2019-2022 key programs. Through implementation of the legal framework on domestic violence, including institutional responsibility to assist victims of violence, awareness-raising among officials and citizens about gender-based violence and as well as research and advocacy; KWN has been striving and working for years to prevent violence against women and achieve justice for killed women!

Justice for every woman murdered!